Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) decisions — 2024

The Veteran's service-connected left femur fracture with arthritis, left hip limitation of flexion, and left thigh impairment resulting in limitation of abduction, adduction and/or rotation are all remanded for further evaluation.,An increased rating is granted for the service-connected limitation of left hip flexion.

The Veteran's right ankle sprain with degenerative arthritis is granted a 30 percent rating, and no higher. The Veteran's left ankle sprain with degenerative arthritis is denied any increased rating.

The Board has remanded the case due to a lack of proper consideration of new evidence submitted after the prior denial, and for further medical opinions regarding service connection.

The Board has remanded the claim for service connection for a right shoulder condition, to include as secondary to a service-connected right wrist disability due to insufficient rationale in the previous VA opinions and new evidence of compensatory use.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's lumbar spondylosis and degenerative arthritis of the spine with intervertebral disc syndrome (claimed as back condition) is related to her active service, resolving all doubt in her favor.

The Veteran's service-connected lumbosacral strain, degenerative arthritis, degenerative disc disease L4-L5, and intervertebral disc syndrome is effective the earliest date permissible by law and VA statute.

The Veteran's claims for left eye, CTS of the left wrist, bilateral hip osteoarthritis, and bilateral knee degenerative arthritis are being remanded due to insufficient medical opinions regarding their etiology.

The Board has determined that the discontinuance of SMC at the housebound rate was improper and has revised the effective date to October 1, 2022. The Veteran's entitlement to SMC benefits is now correct as of this date.

The Veteran's lumbosacral strain is related to injuries sustained during service.,The left ankle sprain is secondary to the right ankle condition.,Radiculopathy in both lower extremities (sciatica) is also secondary to the lumbar spine condition.

The Board has restored the Veteran's disability rating for degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine from 40 percent to 40 percent effective January 1, 2022.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral knee disability, post-concussive headaches with a noncompensable initial evaluation, and lumbar spine degenerative arthritis with an initial 10 percent evaluation. The Veteran's claims are denied for higher ratings.

The Board has granted service connection for right knee degenerative arthritis, left knee degenerative arthritis, and lumbosacral strain and degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine. The decision is based on a finding that these conditions are at least as likely as not related to the Veteran's military service.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to a duty to assist error, and now requires an addendum opinion from a VA clinician regarding whether the Veteran's left knee disability is caused or aggravated by his service-connected right knee disability.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not prevent her from securing and maintaining substantially gainful employment during the period of appeal.

The Board has determined that the VA examinations and opinions are inadequate for rating purposes, necessitating remand to obtain new evaluations.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right shoulder disability is at least as likely as not related to his in-service injuries, and thus service connection for this condition is granted.

The Veteran's appeal has been dismissed as he withdrew his appeal prior to the promulgation of a decision.

The Board denied service connection for obesity/weight gain as secondary to bilateral knee disability, left ankle disability, and fibromyalgia. Service connection was granted for degenerative arthritis of the cervical spine.,The Veteran's claims regarding left ankle disability and fibromyalgia were denied due to lack of current disability evidence.

The Veteran's TDIU was granted effective May 18, 2015. The Board found that this arose on May 18, 2015, which is later than the February 22, 2012 date of claim for service connection.

The Board has granted an earlier effective date of October 19, 2018 for the grant of service connection for left shoulder recurrent dislocation of the glenohumeral joint and a 20 percent disability rating for this condition. The Veteran's claim for a higher initial rating was denied.